A text-based scam claiming to be about driving tolls has been going from state to state and shows no sign of slowing. For over a year, people have been receiving texts claiming they have an outstanding balance for road tolls, often a small amount.
The texts look like they come from E-ZPass and include a link to pay the outstanding balance. If you click on the link, you can quickly become victim to a scam and potentially face hefty losses, including monetary and related to identity theft.
In fact, the FBI has been warning about this scam since last spring. The warning says this is a "smishing" scam, a term that combines "SMS" (another term for text messages) and "phishing" — when scammers use fake messages to trick people.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What does the road toll scam text look like?
These phishing texts look like any other text you might get. They're from a phone number likely not saved as a contact in your phone, and the number is not always the same from person to person.
According to the FBI alert, the text says something like: "(State Toll Service Name): We've noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late fee of $50.00, visit https://myturnpiketollservices.com to settle your balance."
The link is made to look like it comes from your state's toll service name.
What should you do if you think you got an E-ZPass scam text?
If you received a text that seems to be a scam, the FBI suggests you file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) including the phone number you received the text from and the website URL used in the text.
The FBI further suggests you do the following:
- If you have an account with a road toll company, check your account — going directly to their website.
- Call that toll service's customer service phone number.
- Delete the texts.
If you clicked on the link, the FBI recommends securing personal information and financial accounts and disputing any unfamiliar charges.
At this point, warnings have come out about these texts from all over the country. You should check with your state's service center for any suggestions specific to them. For example, the Virginia E-ZPass recommends forwarding the text to a federal spam service, while the New York State Thruway Authority suggests you can call customer service with any questions.
What can scammers get in the road toll phishing attack, and how can you counter it?
The easiest way to stop a scammer is to not click on any link from any unfamiliar phone number or email address. If you click on a smishing link and provide your personal information, scammers now have access to a host of options.
They can, for example, use the information provided to try to hack into your bank account with a username and password. They can also use your information to, say, apply for a credit card in your name, and then use that credit card as they see fit.
Scammers can also use your information to target other people in your life. For example, they can impersonate you in texts and emails to your family members, implicating them in new scams where they hand over money thinking it's for you.
Still, there are some basic safety measures you can take.
For example, you should immediately change the passwords on sensitive accounts like for your bank or brokerage. When you change a password, make sure it follows smart methods (rather than, say, a password someone with your basic information could easily guess) and use a different password for each account. A password manager like NordPass or 1Password can help both safely store your passwords and set passwords that are hard to hack.
Another safety measure is to freeze your credit, something Kiplinger has recommended many times before. That means that if someone tries to open a credit card in your name, for example, they'll meet a barrier. You can leave a freeze up permanently and only unfreeze it when you're applying for credit, and that will keep you safer from unexpected attacks.
In order to freeze your credit, you need to go through Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
The advice for avoiding scams remains the same: If you get an unusual call, text or email, stop, breathe and think about it. Don't click links or hand over personal information. If a text claims to be from a specific service or person, pick up the phone and call that company's customer service line or that person's number to see if it's really them before you hand over any information that could end up damaging you.
Related Content
-
The AI Doctor Coming to Read Your Test ResultsThe Kiplinger Letter There’s big opportunity for AI tools that analyze CAT scans, MRIs and other medical images. But there are also big challenges that human clinicians and tech companies will have to overcome.
-
The Best Places for LGBTQ People to Retire AbroadLGBTQ people can safely retire abroad, but they must know a country’s laws and level of support — going beyond the usual retirement considerations.
-
How to Get Apple TV Plus for just $2.99For a limited time, you can get three months of Apple TV Plus for just $2.99 per month. Here’s how to get the deal.
-
Don’t Panic About the “Retail Blackout” – See Which Stores Are Closing (and Which Aren’t) for Easter 2025Dozens of major retailers are planning to close their doors on April 20. Find out which of your go-to stores are on the list.
-
Home Insurance: How to Cut Costs Without Losing CoverageNatural disasters are causing home insurance premiums to soar, but don't risk dropping your coverage completely when there are ways to keep costs down.
-
Why Homeowners Insurance Has Gotten So Very ExpensiveThe home insurance industry is seeing more frequent and bigger claims because of weather, wildfires and other natural disasters.
-
Zelle App Shut Down? Why Zelle Has Discontinued Its AppWith the Zelle app shut down, learn how you can still use Zelle and which other mobile payment apps you might want to consider.
-
Use This 1-Year CD if You’ll Owe Taxes Next YearA one-year CD allows you to set money aside now for taxes you'll owe next year. We'll show our best choice.
-
How to Lower Home Insurance Rates When Climate Change Increases CostsA top insurer warns the damage climate change causes is making it cost-prohibitive for insurers in some areas. Learn how to protect your home and lower costs.
-
Stick to the Plan: Don't Panic During Economic UncertaintyTake a breath and step back. Focus on a solid fiscal foundation to stabilize your investments during stock market volatility.
